Toony made the right call on the armband
Stuart McInally has opened his heart about being sacked as Scotland captain – and insisted coach Gregor Townsend was absolutely right to strip him of the armband.
This time last year, McInally was the happiest of hookers as he prepared to lead his country into battle at the World Cup in Japan.
But it turned out to be an ill-fated campaign for the squad, and the Edinburgh man in particular.
First, McInally was dropped from the starting line-up for the crucial clash with the hosts, who came out on top to clinch a quarter-final slot.
Then he was ditched as skipper for the subsequent Six Nations tournament and replaced by full-back Stuart Hogg.
As he stepped up training for rugby’s return to competitive action later this month, McInally admitted Townsend made the right move in relieving him of the duties.
He declared: “Hoggy has done a great job for Scotland.
“He is definitely the right man to do it. No doubt about it.
“I was involved in the conversation about his appointment, and it was the right call. I was very much in agreement.
“As one of the senior players, I am still part of the leadership group with Hoggy.”
While McInally is looking forward to picking up more caps in the busy autumn Test programme – which includes the delayed Six Nations encounter with Wales – his sights are currently set on the Pro14 double-header with arch-rivals, Glasgow, at Murrayfield.
He confessed that the build up to the two matches will prove difficult for the capital outfit because the Warriors will be operating under a new coach, Danny Wilson.
McInally stated: “We’ve not spoken about Glasgow or done any preview stuff on them yet. That’s because we also don’t know how they’re going to play with Danny in charge after Dave Rennie’s departure.
“We don’t have any footage of them as there have been no warm-up games.
“Obviously, we know the majority of their players, but not what their style of rugby might be.
“It’sjustaboutgettingreadytoplay rugby again.”
Meanwhile, along the M8, Ali Price is ready for a battle royal with young pretender George Horne for the No.9 jersey – both for Scotland and Glasgow.
Experienced scrum-half Price has been boss Gregor Townsend’s first-choice in recent times, with his rookie club-mate being deployed as an impact sub.
But the former knows he will have to be in prime form to maintain the upper hand.
Price said: “It will all be up to Gregor. He knows what he wants and who he will want.
“When I came back from injury last winter, George and I were given alternate-week starts for the Warriors.
“It is tricky to know what might happen under new coach, Danny Wilson.”
Price added: “In the Six Nations, I got a few Scotland starts-in-arow for the first time, and I felt my performances improved throughout the tournament. “That benefits any player.
“I am sure both of us will be given a shot early in the season, and whoever is doing better will then be able to take it on.”